Genetic engineering

Cards (27)

  • Genetic engineering- Direct modification of an organism's genome, which is the list of specific traits (genes) stored in the DNA
  • Genome- the complete set of Dna (genetic material) in an organism
  • Teosinte- one of the parent plants of modern corn
  • Created first genetically modified bacteria
    1973
  • Eggs arehaploid: 23 chromosomes
  • Body cells are diploid :46 chromosomes
  • Created GM mice
    1974
  • First commercial development of GMOs (insulin-producing bacteria)
    1982
  • Began to sell genetically modified food
    1994
  • Began to sell GMOs as pets (Glofish)
    2003
  • Artificial selection techniques
    •Selective breeding
    •Hybridization
    •Inbreeding
  • Artificial Selection
    Breeders choose which organism to mate to produce offspring with desired traits
  • Hybridization
    Two individuals with unlike characteristics are crossed to produce the best in both organisms
  • Inbreeding
    Breeding of organisms that are genetically similar to maintain desired traits
  • Cloning
    Creating an organism that is an exact genetic copy of another
  • Gene splicing
    DNA is cut out of one organism and put into another organism, transferring a trait
  • Gel electrophoresis
    A technique used to compare DNA from two or more organisms by separating DNA based on size of fragments
  • Engineered animals
    • Fast-Growing Salmon
    • Less Smelly Cows
    • Glow in the dark cat
  • Web-Producing Goats: Spider genes in goats enable the production of spider silk in goat milk
  • People's perspectives on genetic engineering
    A farmer
    A doctor
    A concerned environmentalist
  • Environmentalist perspective: Genetic Engineering may have negative impacts on ecosystems if genetically modified plants are released into natural habitats, potentially causing harm to native species.
  • Doctor perspective: Genetic Engineering has potential benefits in medicine, including gene therapy which involves replacing faulty genes with healthy ones to treat inherited disorders.
  • Farmer perspective: Genetic Engineering can be beneficial as it allows farmers to produce crops with desirable traits such as resistance to pests and diseases.
  • Step 1 - Isolation of Gene: The first step is to isolate the desired gene from its original location using restriction enzymes that cut specific sequences of DNA at particular locations.
  • A method of producing new combinations of DNA molecules by joining together segments of DNA from different sources.
  • The process of creating transgenic organisms involves several steps:
  • Selective breeding
    When animals with desired characteristics are mated